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Fabric is essential, according to Elaine. “The material will dictate how well your curtains function and hold up over time. Linen, silk, faux silk and velvet are the best choices to use for window treatments, as they tend to hang the best.

“A good tip is to pleat your fabric like an accordion at the top and let it drape. If it starts to flare like a piece of crinoline, then it’s not going to fall nicely on the window.”

Warmth and light are also two big considerations. Use a bump – a thick, insulating felt material to insulate against the cold. In children’s bedrooms, or media rooms, using a black out lining – a very dense fabric sewn onto the back of any drape – will block out any unwanted light.

“With our Cornish sunshine, it’s likely that the room in question will get a lot of light, so you might want to avoid bright colours, since they tend to fade faster,” adds Elaine.

The style chosen is really a personal choice, but often, the most difficult part. Camellia & Co. can inspire you and even take away the stress with its curtain and blind making service. With their help, you can get expert advice on fabric and design options, suggestions for unusually shaped windows, and they even have an easy-to-use measuring guide that they can email out to get this crucial stage right.

At Alfords Flooring, according to Melanie Alford, “We’re proud to have what we consider a fully comprehensive showroom of new and exciting flooring solutions. But out of all of them, the ones that I always love to show our customers are our wool carpets – nature at its best!”

Providing natural thermal and sound insulation, these create the perfect finish to a healthy home. From standard twist carpet to textural loops and now, flatweaves, you needn’t compromise on style.

Their versatility is endless, and the best part is, wool carpets are completely natural. Hardwearing and long lasting – both structurally and aesthetically – these carpets are naturally resistant to dirt and stains, so why not pop into Alfords and see how they could change your home?

Cornwall is renowned for turbulent weather, with strong winds regularly blowing in from the ocean. Indeed, over the last few months in particular, with hurricane Ophelia and storm Brian waging war against out coastline, the dramatic and potentially detrimental effect of the weather has never been so clear.

Guaranteed to withstand winds of up to 130mph, low-maintenance steel fences from Colourfence could be the alternative you’re looking for, whether your existing fence has been blown away, or it looks as if it may no longer withstand a stiff breeze. Professionally installed and virtually maintenance free, Colourfence has been heralded by many as the best general purpose fencing product on the market, meaning it could be just the solution you’re looking for!

Capture the magic of Christmas with Perfect Pictures just for Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching and with it, the all-important Christmas shop. If you’ve been racking your brains for that perfect present, perhaps a professional family portrait, or one of your beloved pet would make their eyes light up on Christmas morning? If so, Perfect Pictures in Penzance’s studio is both family and pet friendly!

This time of year is all about making memories with the ones you love, and we all know that a picture paints a thousand words. Why not get those festive snaps printed on a canvas or, even better, have them turned into a unique, personalised gift like a mug, T-shirt, or jigsaw? Or why not have the team convert that precious footage into a DVD, to be played back when the kids grow up?

Lady Frances Sorrell, co-founder of the Sorrell Foundation and Saturday Club Trust, formally opened Palace Studios, Plymouth College of Art’s new dedicated building for UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design students.

In her opening speech, she said: “Palace Studios are unique – dedicated to the Foundation, which is all about discovery and exploring the sheer variety of subjects in this growing industry. Foundation-level creative study is the perfect way for students to make informed choices, and whichever path they choose, this experience will make their work all the richer for it.”

Palace Studios includes two large specialist studios, designed to meet the needs of today’s art, design and media students, with high windows for natural light, all housed only 250 metres from the sea. It’s here that students are introduced to a range of media, materials, processes, resources and equipment.

Christmas is too precious to us to risk spoiling it by being sick. We speak with Graham Brack, Pharmacist at Reeds Pharmacy, Truro, who gives some tips on staying in peak condition.

“There are two things we should all do before Christmas. Firstly, check your medicines cupboard is well stocked so you don’t need to go out if you catch a cold. That means having a painkiller or a cold and flu remedy to hand.”

Graham continues: “Secondly, upset tummies after rich food are common, so you might also want something to treat those. And, since Christmas is an indulgent time for all of us, try losing a little weight before the holidays so that you needn’t worry so much about putting on a few pounds. Your pharmacist will be very happy to advise on suitable medicines to keep around. Other than that, merry Christmas!”

The Summerhouse Gallery is a beautiful, welcoming space in Marazion, overlooking the wonderful St Michael’s Mount. Owner, Jayne tells us: “Our artists vary from the well established to the up and coming. Regardless of reputation, we can honestly say that each piece on the wall is there for one reason – because we love it!”

With Christmas fast approaching, Summerhouse is showcasing the very best that Cornish creatives have to offer. From gorgeous handmade jewellery, to glass works and sculptures, as well as, of course, a breathtaking selection of paintings, there’s plenty to inspire your Christmas shop this year and the best part is, Jayne and co. also offer gift-wrapping, postage, packaging and even a bespoke courier service for larger items. The gallery is open six days a week throughout the winter, and until 6pm on Friday.

During the winter months, it can be easy to feel down, a simple result of shorter days and more hours of darkness. So, it’s imperative that we make the most of the glorious daylight that Cornwall has to offer, even if it is fleeting at this time of year!

Kestrel Specialist Handrail Systems is the specialist in getting the most out of your home when it comes to looking out from it.

Specialising in bespoke and made to measure glass balustrades, structural glass and Juliet balconies, as well as stainless steel handrails and safety rails, the team can really help add to your property’s ‘wow’ factor, whilst maximising the amount natural light that floods into your home.

With more than 20 years’ experience of painting beautiful things, Julia Kerrison Fine Art specialises in murals of all descriptions, ranging from children’s bedrooms to garden walls, decorated doors and furniture to large-scale community murals.

Clients range from international circuses to young families, elderly neighbours to summer festivals, with styles and prices to suit all. Julia believes that everyone deserves to have beautiful surroundings, and so works all over the country (and abroad!) painting truly unique designs to please her clients.

Julia tells us: “We truly love what we do, and are sure that you will too, so whether you want tiny flowers painted on your kitchen cupboards, or an entire room turned into a jungle, why not call or email us for a free consultation?”

Keep their tails wagging this Christmas with advice from Regent Court in Penzance

The festive season is an exciting time, with gifts and foodie treats aplenty around the house. With so much extra food around, Regent Court Veterinary Practice stresses the importance of keeping it well away from pets. Rich foods can lead to upset tummies, and raisins – which you’ll find in puddings, pies and cakes – can be very toxic to kidneys, so take special care with those!

Chocolate is another festive favourite, but as little as 50 grams can be fatal to small dogs. Turkey meat is fine, but if your pets get hold of the bones, there’s potential for dangerous gut blockages. Finally, don’t forget about the presents under the tree! With their sensitive noses, dogs will be able to tell exactly which ones are edible, and the wrappings and ribbons won’t do their tummies any good at all!

“The perfect Christmas present for the man who has everything could be a signed copy of football thriller Dangerous Score by Devoran based author Michael Bearcroft. From football action on the pitch to behind the scenes plotting, football hero Jason Clooney’s life becomes an action packed rollercoaster after dating a mysterious woman with a disturbing connection to the criminal underworld, plunging Jason into some of the toughest challenges he has ever had to face. Liverpool FC’s Managing Director described the book “as breathtaking as a Merseyside Derby, with just as many twists and turns…. one not to miss!” Football magazine 442 comments: “It’s the sort of intriguing tale you would expect from a TV Sunday night drama.”

Looking for unique and handmade gifts for your loved ones this Christmas? The Poly in Falmouth has you covered! The Christmas Market returns this year, with a diverse range of original designs by local crafts people. It will be open from November 27th until December 24th, from Monday to Saturday between 10am to 7pm, and on Thursdays until 9pm.

With stalls changing each week and complimentary refreshments on offer during late night shopping, what better reason could you need to pop in? You’re guaranteed to find that one-of-a-kind present just in time for Christmas.

Looking for a modern, versatile alternative to conventional doors? Specialising in high-quality aluminium bi-fold doors for residential and commercial use, all of Collington & Co’s doors come in a wide spectrum of colours and finishes, available in both inward and outward opening styles.

Aluminium is the perfect material from which to build a bi-fold door. It’s durable, weather-resistant and energy efficient – traits that make aluminium doors incredibly versatile and long lasting.

When closed, the ultra slim, slight lines of your bifolds promise to maximise your view. When open, they fold back neatly, allowing an expansive panorama of the outside world.

The Collington team knows a thing or two about installing high-end aluminium products, with prices that need seeing to be believed. Why not pop along to the Helston showroom and take a look for yourself?

As part of the current £6 million transformation of St Michaels Hotel & Spa, the team recently unveiled 32 new rooms and suites. The new Beach House Wing of the hotel includes Beach House Rooms and St Michaels Suites, with many enjoying private terraces and beach views.

Local company, 20/20 Design has introduced contemporary Cornish style, from maritime inspired tones to dramatic driftwood headboards. Sofas and dressing tables complete the relaxing environment, with floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the rooms with light. Each bathroom has walk-in rainforest showers and amenities from ELEMIS, while smart TVs and Roberts Digital Radios offer the best in interactive entertainment.

These rooms, combined with the newSt Michaels Health Club, mean a stay at St Michaels has wellbeing at its very core.

he season of eating, drinking and making merry has well and truly arrived, and at The Cornish Barn in Penzance, the team is fully embracing this winter’s festivities.

For those who favour a few tipples on a Sunday afternoon, this trendy smokehouse and bar’s Sunday roast now comes with the option of adding unlimited prosecco, mimosas and bloody Marys – with hearty portions of smoked Cornish meat and produce to boot. This is the perfect way to indulge yourself in the warm up to Christmas.

In the seating area, there’s a cosy log burner and squashy sofas, perfect for retreating to after dinner, while a private banquet room and cocktail bar also make The Cornish Barn a great spot for dropping in over the festive season with friends and family; that, or to escape for some peace and quiet!

Part of Hendra’s of Truro and providing quality health, hair and beauty services, Hendra Health & Beauty has more than 20 years of experience in offering the best ranges of supplements, remedies and natural skincare.

Hendra Health & Beauty is a huge advocate of the benefits of aromatherapy, arguably the most ancient form of medicine, offering fuss-free solutions that allow you to use natural oils in your home or office, creating a calming or reviving mood. This, of course, depends on the oils you use, however the team recommends the use of mood lighting to really add to the ambience of the room.

The team’s Aroma Blossom kit, at just £36, is an essential and stylish accessory to add to your home. The best part is, it’s natural, and it can help combat kitchen and pet odours, too!”

This impressive, five-star accolade was awarded to dynamic duo Martyn Rohrs and Matthew Rowe at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, proving them to be up there with the best estate agents in the UK.

The pair tell us: “We are absolutely over the moon to have received this within just 12 months of opening. It was our vision and passion to create a new style of agency that would really make our work stand out, offering clients an exciting and innovative alternative to the traditional high street agents, or the faceless online-only companies.”

Combining 40 years of collective industry experience with local knowledge and a personalised service, Rohrs & Rowe cleverly markets the Cornish lifestyle through the use of modern technology, and social and online channels. Why not get in touch and find out for yourself why it’s just become the Estate Agents of the Year.

Aspen and Ash is the only manufacturer of bespoke engineered flooring in Cornwall, and is in fact the only supplier, worldwide, of Tregothnan Cornish oak flooring. The rich texture of Cornish oak flooring adds a warm welcome to any home, bringing natural beauty and value.

Flooring, work surfaces and other artisan creations from Aspen and Ash are handcrafted using reclaimed or sustainably-managed wood, ranging from Olive Ash to Tregothnan oak and Douglas Fir.This limited run of elegant flooring can be contrasted against chic ultra-modern furnishings, or used to complement period details.

Aspen and Ash helps preserve historic woodland, with all flooring being felled, cut, kiln-dried and finished in Cornwall.

Dream Doors, Truro has become extremely popular with those looking to inject a new lease of life into their kitchen. Creating bespoke doors that are made to measure, owner Matt explains how the team can provide a full fitting service too. In as little as a day, they’re able to transform your kitchen, which is ideal if you’re fitting the project around a busy schedule – in the run up to Christmas, for instance!

There are hundreds of different styles to choose from and, on average, the Dream Doors service is 40% cheaper than ripping out and starting again. It’s far kinder to the environment too, so you can get the new look you’ve been dreaming about without harming the world around you. Why not give Matt and the team a call and find out how?

Offering a range of non-surgical cosmetic treatments, all provided by its very own dental surgeon, Fergus Brown, Cathedral Dental Practice tells us that facial aesthetic treatments are a safe and effective way to gently reduce the signs of ageing by smoothing wrinkles and replacing lost volume from facial areas.

Over time, repeated muscle contractions from frowning and squinting can cause furrows and folds in the skin. Wrinkle reduction treatment temporarily relaxes these muscles, resulting in a visible smoothing of wrinkles, frown lines and crow’s feet. Dermal filler treatment can also be used to smooth creases and lines around the mouth and nose area. They can add subtle volume to enhance your lips and create more fullness and definition.

From whites and greys to injections of colour, Charlotte at Interiora tells us: “We have found that the bold colours are making a comeback! As a bathroom supplier and designer, we’ve recognised that our customers have had enough of clinical and bland shades, and are looking to inject bold and bright colours into their bathrooms.”

Popular colours at the moment include rich teals, mustard and sun yellows, royal blues and even vibrant oranges. Indeed, the fashion for colour has definitely spread into the home, and Charlotte finishes by saying: “We have exciting new ranges that achieve just that, from bright multi-coloured tiles to rich coloured vanity units. If you fancy giving your bathroom a new lease of life, why not pop down to our showroom and let us take you through the options?”

Having recently sold for a whopping £1.4 million, an ex-council house in St Ives is set to be the next big project on the RA Design books.

Known for being an architectural services practice with Cornwall and family at its heart, this local company has secured the contract and confirmed the plans for this exciting project, in which the new owner intends to spend a happy retirement. The process will see the current dilapidated house replaced by a dwelling worthy of its position.

Chris Strike and his brother-in-law, Tom – the talented duo behind this fantastic Cornish firm – have their roots firmly based in Cornwall, so who better to design and build this exciting project on what is, undeniably, one of Cornwall’s most enviable locations?

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